Children’s Programs

Welcome!

Most Sundays, young people in Kindergarten through Grade 6 begin in the service with their families. Following the “Message to Children”, teachers accompany children to their classrooms. Our goal is to provide a warm environment where each child is accepted for who they are and to encourage them on life’s journey. Each Sunday morning session begins with a chalice lighting and the sharing of joys and concerns. All groups meet until 11:15 a.m. to allow for an hour-long session. Parents of infants to Third Graders are asked to pick up their children in the classrooms at 11:15 a.m.. Older children are dismissed to Coffee Hour.

Little RE: 0-4 years, Lower Level

The youngest children are warmly welcomed in our nursery/toddler classrooms by volunteer teachers, our dedicated teen assistants and Dawn Van Patten, our Assistant Director of RE. Parents are invited to bring their children to the classroom fifteen minutes before worship service begins (9:45 a.m.).

FALL: Living Our 7 Principles through Spirit Play

Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2, Lower Level

Spirit Play is an engaging approach to religious education based on the Montessori method and Unitarian Universalist principles. Children are told a story and then encouraged to explore “wondering questions” through learning centers and art activities. We support multiple learning styles and create a spiritual community.

FALL: Living Our 7 Principles

Grade 3, Greeley & Ripley Rooms

Each Sunday will explore one of our Unitarian Universalist principles through stories, hands-on activities and conversations. A game or movement time will give the children a chance to stretch and move about. Our goal is to create a fun engaging environment for children to feel accepted and explore together.

UU Tween Spirituality

Grades 4 & 5, Wright Tavern

Based on a curriculum by Tracy Beck, these sessions help nurture the spiritual lives of tween youth. We will explore spiritual practices like meditation, walking the labyrinth, Zentangles, and more. We will delve into recent Unitarian Universalist Study/Action Issues like Racial Justice, Reconsidering Thanksgiving, and Solidarity with our Muslim Neighbors. 5th graders also take an active role in the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s Guest at Your Table program. Middle OWL will be offered for 5th graders in the Spring, 2018.